Such numbers, which are often used for help and support lines, are free to call from landlines. However, calls from mobiles are often charged, in some cases up to 20 pence per minute.

The Consumer Focus group told the BBC this was particularly unfair to people on low incomes who are more likely to rely on mobile phones and not have access to a landline.

Ofcom won't decide until next year whether to turn the proposals into binding rules and is officially opening up the idea to consultation, though comments from a spokesman suggest it is highly likely to go ahead.

Other details in the proposals include providing clearer information on pricing of other non-geographic number such as "local rate" 0845 numbers (which are often excluded from call packages) and premium rate lines. Ofcom suggests a system by which number starting 03 cost local rates even on mobiles, number beginning 08 carry a low maximum charge, and number beginning 09 carry a higher maximum]]> Fri, 6 Apr 2012 15:24:00 GMT http://www.uk-mobile-pages.co.uk/articles/mobile-roaming-costs-to-fall-further.html European politicians have called for dramatic cuts in the cost of using mobile phones overseas. But they rejected the idea of outlawing roaming charges altogether.

Under the new rules, to be phased in over the next two years, the maximum allowable charges will be cut by more than half. By 1 July 2014, networks can only charge 12 pence per minute for making calls while in another EU country and 4 pence for sending a text.

There will also be a return to caps on data charges. Officials had experimented with a scheme that restricted how much networks could charge one another but left them free to compete on the prices they charged customers. The new rule will mean a maximum charge of 16 pence per megabyte.

The changes, made by a committee of European members of parliament aren't set in stone yet. It's expected the full Parliament will approve the measures, but they'll also need the backing of a meeting of the relevant ministers from the EU's member countries.

Some politicians had argued for a complete ban on roaming charges, with one arguing that it made no sense for a call from Calais to Dover to cost more than one from the]]> Thu, 8 Mar 2012 16:36:00 GMT http://www.uk-mobile-pages.co.uk/articles/t-mobile-offers-ultimate-unlimited-deal.html Mobile network T-Mobile has launched what appears to the first completely unlimited all-round smartphone package. "The Full Monty" plan has no limits on calls, texts or data, and there's no fair use limit on the data plan.

The deal is for a minimum of two years and includes a handset. The monthly cost is either £41, £46 or £61 depending on the choice of handsets. Each tariff gives users a choice of between 34 and 40 handsets with no up-front cost.

The only phones that do carry a charge are iPhones, though each deal does include some free iPhones. Those on the £41 tariff can get the 16GB iPhone 4 without charge; the £46 deal gets you the 16GB iPhone 4S for free; and the £61 deal takes you up to the 32GB iPhone 4S. Each tariff lets you upgrade to any iPhone for a free of between £29 and £219.

The deal also allows phone tethering, meaning users can share the data connection with a computer. In theory that means people could use the phone as their main source of home broadband, though speeds might not be as reliable as a fixed]]> Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:19:00 GMT